Chest lock



May 7, 1945 c. LEDIN 2,399,812

' CHEST LOOK Filed Aug. 19, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 VENTOR C. o/ )7 ATTORNEY May 7, 1.946. c. LEDIN j .2,399512 CHEST LOCK Filed Aug. 19, 1943 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR V BY c. e ff-n ATTORNEY Patented May 7, 1946 CHEST LUCK Charles Ledin, Stamford, Conn., assignor to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application August 19, 1943, Serial No. 499,164

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a lock, and more particularly that type of lock that is adapted to lock a box or chest, as for example a cedar chest. My invention relates further to that class of lock in which a bolt is retracted by the inward sliding movement of a key plug that is locked against rotation by tumblers projecting from the key plug.

In that class of locks in which a bolt is retracted by inward sliding movement of a key plug, it is customary for the key plug to be locked against inward movement because of the presence of a detent member that may lie in obstructing relation to an integral portion of the key plug. In such locks, the proper setting of the usual tumblers projecting from the key plug 'will allow rotation of the key plug into a position in which it avoids the detent member, so that inward endwise movement of the key plug is possible. -In some locks of the particular class, the arrangement is such that when the key plug is in its initial position its depression is prevented by the bolt itself, the rotation of the key plug thereafter releasing it relatively to the bolt for inward movement and consequent retractionof the bolt. It may be well to indicate that in locks of the particular type set forth the tumblers project into through slots that are incapable of preventing the inner endwise movement of the key plug, and that the detent means are' herefore-relied upon for that purpose. l

A feature of my invention resides` in the utilization of the tumblers normally projected outu wardiy of the plug, for preventing the inward movement of the key plug, thereby obviating the necessity for supplying a detent or other means. As a further feature of this portion of my invention, the retraction of the tumblers into the key plug will allow the movement of the key plug without first requiring rotation thereof.

As still a further feature of my invention, the rotation of the key plug to a second position may be used to effect the locking of the key plug in. that second position and with the tumblers incapable in that second position of preventing endwise movement of the key plug.

A still further feature of my invention resides in the arrangement of the key plug relatively to the bolt whereby the bolt controls the rotation of the key plug.

A further feature of my invention resides in the mounting of the bolt relatively t the lock casing of my invention and in the formation of the bolt.

Ihave thus described generally the lmore important features of myinvention in order that my contribution to the art may be better understood and in order that the relation of my contribution to the prior art may be better com-- prehended. Also, while I have described generally several important features of my invention, thereare other important features that willbe described particularly in the speciiication and will be claimed in the claims appended hereto.

Referring now to the drawings, I

Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing the lock of my invention applied to a chest such as a cedar chest.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fie. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the parts of Fig. 1 when the tumblers have been set and the plug has been moved endwise to retract the bolt.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along lines 4-4 Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows certain parts of Fig. e when the tumblers have been retracted thereby permitting endwise movement of the key plug to the position of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view of the parts of Fig. 4. with the key plug rotated ninety degrees and the tumblers projected into a second locking slot.

Fig. 7 is a View of certain of the parts of Fig. 2 when the key plug has `been rotated ninety degrecs and into the position of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the bolt of my invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the lock of my invention comprises a casing portion I having an outwardly extending cylinder part Il within the bore of which is mount ed the key plug I2. The main portion of the casing l0 encloses a relatively large rectangular opening designated by reference numeral i3 and open at its upper end as indicated by reference numeral I4 and at itsinward end as indicated by reference numeral l5. The casing ID is preferably made from a plastic material, but may be formed from metal as those skilled in the art will fully appreciate. Its open ends i4 and I5 are bOth adapted to be closed by a plate It, preferably of metal and shown in Fig. l as having a vertical portion Ia and a horizontal portion Ilb.

The peripheral surface of the casing l outlining the open end l5 is designated by reference numeral I1 in Figs. l and 2 and is shown formed with notches I8. The notches I8 are closed by the vertical portion [6a of plate i6 when the plate is applied to the lock as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. 'The notches IB are utilized for the piv ctalmounting `of the bolt 2n best illustrated in Fig. 8. The bolt 20 is preferably fabricated from sheet metal and has a pair of oppositely extending pivot arms 2| formed integrally therewith. On each of the arms 2| there is applied a roller or sleeve 22, each sleeve 22 being forced on a pivot arm 2|. It is now quite apparent that the sleeves 22 lying within the notches |8 form bearings for the pivotal movement of the bolt 20, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

A spring 23 lies between the bolt 20 and a suitably formed portion of the casing whereby to press the boltl into its locking position of Fig. 1. The bolt 2D is adapted for coaction with the roller 24 supported by the arms 25 of a strike designated generally by reference numeral 26. The construction of the strike is of course quite apparent from the drawings, and it is shown secured to the lid 21 of the chest for locking the said lid against opening.

The lock Ill is itself mounted in the front wall 28 of a cedar chest and is held in place by a series of screws 29 extending through holes 30 in the plate i6. At this point it will be well to indicate that through headed bolts 3| and nuts 32 the plate I6 is secured to form an integral part of the lock casing as is well apparent from Figs. 1 and 4. It will be well also to note that the casing I3 may be readily mounted in the front wall 28 of the cedar chest by the forming of a series of circular bores within the said front wall 28, with but one of the bores extending entirely through the front wall. That bore is of course the one used for accommodating the cylinder portion of the casing.

The key plug I2 is formed with the usual slots within which are mounted tumblers 33 as is well illustrated in Figs. 4, and 6, the tumblers being pressed outwardly relatively to the key plug by springs 34 and into a first locking slot 35, The end surface 36 of the key plug I2 bears against the arm 31 of the bolt 20 so that movement of the key plug from the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 3 will retract the bolt as shown in Fig. 3. The spring 23, through the arm 31, tends to press the key plug I2 outwardly and into the position of Fig. 1. Outward movement of the key plug is impossible through the use of a standard form of retainer element 38 carried by the key plug and cooperating with the end surface 39 of the cylinder portion It is well to note that because I rely on the tumblers to lock the key plug against endwise movement, as will presently be set forth, the key plug is always maintained in contact relation to the bolt 2U.

As is well illustrated in Figs. l and 3 the tumblers 33, projecting as they do into the slot 35, prevent the inward movement of the key plug I2 because of the presence within the rst locking slot 35, of the obstructing surface 40, that is in this case the end surface of the slot 35. It is therefore the tumblers themselves that not only prevent rotary movement of the key plug from the position of Figs. 1 and 4, but prevent endwise inward movement of the key plug to the position of Fig. 3 to retract the latch bolt.

Obviously. if a key 45 is inserted within the key plug l2 as shown in Fig. 5, to move the tumblers from their position of Fig. 4 entirely within the key plug l2, the key plug is movable endwise to the position of Fig. 3 to retract the latch bolt. Withdrawal of the key from the plug I2 in the position of Fig. 5, will of course once again allow the projection of the tumblers 33 into the slot 35 and will effect a locking of the key plug against inner endwise movement and against rotary movement.

If with the parts in the position of Fig. 5, the plug |2 is rotated to the position of Fig. 6, and the key withdrawn, the tumblers 33 will be projected into a second locking slot 46 upon withdrawal of the key. 'I'his second locking slot 46 is a through slot; that is, it is not formed with an obstructing or end surface such as surface 4|] of locking slot 35. Therefore, with the parts in the position of Fig. 6 the key plug is locked in release position and may be moved endwise at all times to retract the latch bolt. It is Well at this point to indicate that slots 35a. and 46a are used merely to allow insertion and removal of the key by permitting full throw of the tumblers.

In order to limit the rotation of the key plug it is formed with a lug 41 that cooperates with the surface 48 of the arm 31 of bolt 2li for limiting the rotation of the key plug, as from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig, '7. The lug 41 cooperates further with the surface 49 of the bolt 20 to prevent rotation in a clockwise direction of the key plug from the position of Fig. 2.

I believe that the novel features of my invention will now be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

I now claim:

1. In a lock of the class described, a key plug, a cylinder having an opening in which said key plug is mounted for inward sliding motion, tumblers in said key plug projected normally outwardly relatively to said key plug in its locked position and into a locking slot formed in said cylinder, a terminal or obstruction surface of said slot cooperating with the said tumblers to prevent inward sliding motion of said key plug, said' cylinder having a second slot angularly spaced from said first slot and extending unobstructed inwardly of said cylinder further than said first slot, the rotation of said key plug to a release position bringing the tumblers opposite said second slot whereupon said key plug may be pressed inwardly of said cylinder, and a bolt adapted to be retracted by inward movement of said key plug in either of its positions.

2. In a lock of the class described, a key plug, a cylinder having an opening in which said key plug is mounted for inward sliding motion, tumblers in said key plug projected normally outwardly relatively to said key plug in its locked position and into a locking slot formed in said cylinder, a terminal or obstruction surface of said slot cooperating with the said tumblers to prevent inward sliding motion of said key plug, said key plug having a keyway for a key adapted to retract said tumblers out of said slot, said cylinder having a second slot angularly spaced from said rst slot and extending unobstructed inwardly of said cylinder further than said rst slot, whereby when said key plug is rotated to a released position after the retraction of the tumblers to bring the tumblers opposite said second slot and the key is then withdrawn to eifect the projection of the tumblers into said second slot, said key plug may be pressed inwardly of said cylinder, and a bolt adapted to be retracted by inward movement of said key plug in either of its positions.

3. In a lock of the class described, a key plug, a cylinder having an opening in which said key plug is mounted for inward sliding motion, a bolt in said lock adapted for retraction by inward sliding motion of said key plug, tumblers in said key plug spring pressed outwardly relatively to said key plug and into a locking slot in said cylinder, a terminal or end surface of said slot cooperating with the ends of the tumblers projected into said slot to prevent inward movement of said key plug to retract said bolt, said key plug having a key way for a Vkey adapted to retract said tumblers and release said key plug for inward movement to retract said bolt.

4. In a lock of the class described, a key plug, a cylinder having an opening in which said key plug is mounted for inward sliding motion of said key plug, tumblers in said key plug spring pressed outwardly relatively to said key plug and into a locking slot in said cylinder, a terminal or end surface of said slot cooperating with the ends of the tumblers projected into said slot to prevent inward movement of said key plug to retract said bolt, said key plug having a keyway for a key adapted to retract said tumblers and release said key plug for inward movement to retract said bolt, said cylinder having a second slot angularly spaced from said first slot and extending unobstructed inwardly of said cylinder further than said rst slot whereby when said key plug is rotated to bring the tumblers opposite said second slot, and said key withdrawn so that said tumblers project into said second slot, said key plug may be pressed inwardly of said cylinder without the retraction of said tumblers.

5. In a lock of the class described, a key plug, a cylinder having an opening in which said key plug is mounted for inward sliding motion, a bolt in said lock adapted for retraction by inward sliding motion of said key plug, tumblers in said key plug spring pressed outwardly relatively to said key plug and into a locking slot in said cylinder, a terminal or end surface of said slot cooperating with the ends of the tumblers projected into said slot to prevent inward movement of said key plug to retract said bolt, said key plug having a keyway for a key adapted to retract said tumblers and release said key plug for inward movement to retract said bolt, said key plug being rotatable to bring the tumblers oppo site a second slot when said tumblers are retracted by said key, the withdrawal of the key then effecting the projection of the tumblers into said second slot, said key plug being depressible thereafter to retract said bolt Without requiring retraction of said tumblers, and said tumblers locking said key plug against rotation.

6. In a lock of the class described, a key plug, a cylinder in which said key plug is mounted for rotary movement and endwise inward movement, a tumbler in said key plug projecting into a locking slot in said cylinder for locking said key plug against rotary movement until said tumbler is retracted out of said locking slot, a surface in said locking slot cooperable with said tumbler when said tumbler is projected whereby to prevent inward endwise movement of said key plug until said tumbler is retracted, said key plug being rotatable to a release position when said tumbler is retracted, said cylinder having a second slot at said release position into which said tumbler may be projected thereafter for locking said key plug against rotation, said second slot being free of said obstruction to permit inward sliding motion of said key plug beyond the inward position of the plug in said rst position when said tumbler is projected into said second slot, and a bolt adapted to be retracted by inward movement of said key plug in either of its positions.

CHARLES LEDIN. 

